The Meg (2018) * * *

Directed by:  John Turteltaub

Starring:  Jason Statham, Rainn Wilson, Robert Taylor, Jessica McNamee, Li Bingbing, Cliff Curtis, Masi Oka, Winston Chao

No, this isn't another Jaws ripoff.   The creature in question is a megalodon, an ancient precursor to the modern day shark which was thought to be extinct for two million years.    But, the scientists in The Meg disturb a portion of the ocean which contains parts deeper than previously explored and find themselves battling a megalodon much to their shock.    Besides its huge size and deadly appetite, the creature was supposed to be, you know, extinct.    But, now the scientists who built a multi-billion dollar underwater lab are forced to battle the monstrous being which has its eye on destroying or eating everything in its path.

This is not the type of movie in which you ask how megalodons managed to survive for millions of years in the remotest part of the ocean, or why there only seems to be one left, or possibly two at the most.    The megalodon is convincingly shot to evoke a legitimate threat to everyone not already eaten by it.    This includes Jonas Taylor (Statham), who specializes in deep underwater rescues but has been long retired after a large creature (likely the meg) disrupted a submarine rescue ten years ago, causing Taylor to save only eleven lives instead of the entire crew.    He is reluctant to return, but when one of the people in danger is his ex-wife (McNamee), Jonas becomes a rescuer once again.   In a pleasant twist, the ex and Jonas do not fall in love again because Jonas finds another love interest.

Statham infuses some humor and a few extra dimensions to the role.    He isn't simply an instrument of violence who sneers a lot and physically imposes his will on everyone.    It's a kinder, gentler Jason Statham, although the meg may not be as willing to co-sign that observation.    The Meg isn't Jaws and it would be unfair to expect that quality.    But, it is a competent action film which gets the job done; creating some suspenseful moments and the understanding that the fish underneath the menacing dorsal fin which protrudes above the water is attached to a much, much larger monster.    Once that is understood, The Meg takes on a charm of its own despite the gallons of blood spilled and body parts floating around.